Thursday 17 January 2013

News from my Desk as at Friday January 18, 2013 @ 6AM (AEST)



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Georgia Lottery Reaches $14 Billion Mark For Education With Record First Half
ATLANTA, Georgia (January 17, 2013) -- Georgia Lottery Corp. officials today announced record profits for the first half of fiscal year 2013. The Georgia Lottery's first-half transfers to the Lottery for Education Account will bring the total raised for educational programs in the state to more than $14 billion since the lottery's inception in 1993.

Schleswig-Holstein Awards Three More Sports Betting Licenses
KIEL, Germany (January 17, 2013) -- The Ministry of Interior of Schleswig-Holstein has awarded in the past few days three more sports betting licenses. This time, however, the first time without official press release

National Lottery Ticket Price Hike Branded 'Abuse' Of Market Position
LONDON, UK (January 17, 2013) -- Camelot has announced changes to the National Lottery, doubling ticket prices in the process, in a move which the Health Lottery claims proves the case for more competition in the lottery market.

Express Newspaper Loud on Lottery Price Rise, Silent on Health Lottery Link
LONDON, UK (January 17, 2013) -- Today's Daily Express is putting the boot into the National Lottery on its front page. It reports the Lottery is doubling the price of a ticket and cutting prizes and this is emblazoned on the front page headlines.'
It should probably be noted that the Daily Express and the Health Lottery are both owned by Richard Desmond, a major competitor to the National Lottery - yet no where within the highly critical report does it make mention of this.

LOTTOMATICA GROUP Announces That GTECH GLOBAL SERVICES Corporation Has Signed a Five-Year Contract Extension With Westdeutsche Lotterie In Germany To Provide New Technology And Related Services Through 2018
ROME, ITALY and PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (US) (January 17, 2013) -- Lottomatica Group S.p.A. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, GTECH Global Services Corporation, has signed a five-year contract extension with Westdeutsche Lotterie GmbH & Co. OHG (WestLotto) to provide central system upgrades and ongoing support services through 2018. The contract calls for three one-year extension options. GTECH has been providing lottery technology and ongoing services to WestLotto since 2004.

Pennsylvania edges out Atlantic City for No. 2 Gambling Spot in U.S.
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (January 17, 2013) -- Pennsylvania has knocked Atlantic City out of the No. 2 spot, after Las Vegas, in the U.S. gaming market.

Rafi Ashkenazi Appointed Chief Operating Officer Of The Rational Group
ISLE OF MAN (January 17, 2013) -- Rational Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Scheinberg today announced that Rafi Ashkenazi has joined the Group as Chief Operating Officer and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Group and its brands, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, the two largest online poker sites in the world.

Gambling Advertising: Censorship Authority for TV and Internet - German Advertising Policy Unconstitutional
BERLIN, Germany (January 17, 2013) -- Companies in the gaming service will commence in the first February to submit their television and Internet advertising an authority for a preliminary examination. The Central Association of the German Advertising Industry ZAW has rated that provided for in the so-called advertising policy process as "unconstitutional censorship of advertising", and accuses the new regulation of being a blatant form of censorship according to constitutional case law and warns that it will only serve to strengthen the position of state gaming companies by providing states with an insight into the marketing activities of their private competitors.

Corbett Defends Lottery Privatization Contract
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 16, 2013) - In the face of legislative and public criticism, Gov. Tom Corbett on Wednesday defended his plan to privatize the management of the $3.5 billion Pennsylvania Lottery, arguing that the state has a duty to ensure the fiscal stability of programs for the aged that are underwritten by it. Whilst speaking to reporters after he toured a state jobs centre, the Republican rebutted claims from his critics, primarily legislative Democrats, that he was rushing the contract with the United Kingdom-based Camelot Global Services and not giving lawmakers enough time to vet it.

PRO-LITE Names Industry Veteran Linda Turner As Sales Manager
COSTA MESA, California (January 16, 2013) PRO-LITE, is pleased to announce the hire of Linda Turner as Sales Manager of the lottery sign division. Within the newly created role, Ms. Turner will spearhead PRO-LITE'S sales and marketing of jackpot and point-of-sale signage. She will report to Tom Yerke, Vice President, Sales and Andy Kaoh, President/CEO.

The Public Supports the Karunya Lottery Referred to as The Jewel In The Crown
State Lottery Department's turnover crosses Rs.2,000 crores; Karunya's net profit was Rs.112 crore
TRIVANDRUM. India (January 16, 2013) -- Kerala's state lottery sale crossed Rs. 2,000 crores just a few days back. To put in perspective this is the first time since 1967 that the state has crossed this milestone, a good three months before completion of the financial year. Last year, in the same period, the net turnover was around Rs.774 crores. The profit, this year is more than two times the last financial year.

The Belgian Betting Association Attacks the Monopoly of The National Lottery
BRUSSELS. Belgium (January 16, 2013) -- Members of the Belgian Betting Association (BBA), Stanleybet Bingoal and Betfirst, asked the Belgian Council of State to suspend the decision of the Commission of gambling to grant approval of paris sports exclusive Lottery national country

Plan to Limit Tax Charged on Companies that Provide Major Betting Services
FARGO, North Dakota (January 17, 2013) -- A plan by the North Dakota Racing Commission would limit the taxes charged on companies that provide major betting services. That includes one outfit that expects to do $300 million in so-called account deposit wagering, in which gamblers usually pay a significant amount of money up-front for bets

Lagging Pull-Tab Revenue Draws State Capitol Scrutiny
ST PAUL, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) - The financing plan for the new stadium was always off to a slow start creating a lot of debate, but this week will see the House Commerce Committee assess its progress at the Capitol. Minnesota Public radio reports that Shoreview company, 3 Diamond Gaming Supplies, is the biggest pull-tab supplier in Minnesota, and one of two currently licensed to distribute new electronic pull-tabs and bingo.

Lotteries Instrumental in Restoration for Anniversary of the Travellers Sweepstakes Draw
LLEIDA, Catalonia, Spain (January 16, 2013) -- State Lotteries have revived the ancient Drums once utilized for the 'travelers sweepstakes' draw of 1964, the drums which are 50 years old and no longer used were restored in a project that commenced some five years ago with Lotteries President José Miguel Martínez suggesting the use in the draw for Cadiz, which celebrates 200 years of the draw.

Playtech Limited: Notice of Q4 KPIs and trading update Notice of Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update
LONDON, UK (January 16, 2013) -- Playtech, (LSE: PTEC) the international designer, developer, licensor and provider of software and services for the online, mobile, TV and land-based gaming industry, announces that it will issue its Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2012, on Thursday 7 February 2013.

City Officials Are Ready To Welcome Electronic Bingo Following a meeting with local organizations, the City Council appears ready to allow the devices in Hopkins establishments.
HOPKINS, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) -- City officials are ready to welcome electronic bingo to Hopkins following a meeting Tuesday night with local charitable gambling managers and the businesses that host their organizations

Former Zynga GM Jonathan Flesher joins Betable Team
NEW YORK, NY (January 16, 2013) -- Real money gaming platform Betable today announced it had hired Jonathan Flesher as its new Executive Vice President of Business Development. Online news source 'Inside Social Games' reports that Flesher comes to Betable most recently from Zynga, where he was the company's Vice President and General Manager of Business Development. Prior to Zynga, Flesher worked at companies like JP Morgan.

Wednesday 16 January 2013

News from my desk Thursday January 17, 2013



For the latest news please head to our dedicated breaking news site

http://www.lotteryinsider.com/news/blog_Headlines/breaking_news.htm



The Public Supports the Karunya Lottery Referred to as The Jewel In The Crown
State Lottery Department's turnover crosses Rs.2,000 crores; Karunya's net profit was Rs.112 crore
TRIVANDRUM. India (January 16, 2013) -- Kerala's state lottery sale crossed Rs. 2,000 crores just a few days back. To put in perspective this is the first time since 1967 that the state has crossed this milestone, a good three months before completion of the financial year. Last year, in the same period, the net turnover was around Rs.774 crores. The profit, this year is more than two times the last financial year.

The Belgian Betting Association Attacks the Monopoly of The National Lottery
BRUSSELS. Belgium (January 16, 2013) -- Members of the Belgian Betting Association (BBA), Stanleybet Bingoal and Betfirst, asked the Belgian Council of State to suspend the decision of the Commission of gambling to grant approval of paris sports exclusive Lottery national country

Plan to Limit Tax Charged on Companies that Provide Major Betting Services
FARGO, North Dakota (January 17, 2013) -- A plan by the North Dakota Racing Commission would limit the taxes charged on companies that provide major betting services. That includes one outfit that expects to do $300 million in so-called account deposit wagering, in which gamblers usually pay a significant amount of money up-front for bets

Lagging Pull-Tab Revenue Draws State Capitol Scrutiny
ST PAUL, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) - The financing plan for the new stadium was always off to a slow start creating a lot of debate, but this week will see the House Commerce Committee assess its progress at the Capitol. Minnesota Public radio reports that Shoreview company, 3 Diamond Gaming Supplies, is the biggest pull-tab supplier in Minnesota, and one of two currently licensed to distribute new electronic pull-tabs and bingo.

Lotteries Instrumental in Restoration for Anniversary of the Travellers Sweepstakes Draw
LLEIDA, Catalonia, Spain (January 16, 2013) -- State Lotteries have revived the ancient Drums once utilized for the 'travelers sweepstakes' draw of 1964, the drums which are 50 years old and no longer used were restored in a project that commenced some five years ago with Lotteries President José Miguel Martínez suggesting the use in the draw for Cadiz, which celebrates 200 years of the draw.

Playtech Limited: Notice of Q4 KPIs and trading update Notice of Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update
LONDON, UK (January 16, 2013) -- Playtech, (LSE: PTEC) the international designer, developer, licensor and provider of software and services for the online, mobile, TV and land-based gaming industry, announces that it will issue its Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2012, on Thursday 7 February 2013.

City Officials Are Ready To Welcome Electronic Bingo Following a meeting with local organizations, the City Council appears ready to allow the devices in Hopkins establishments.
HOPKINS, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) -- City officials are ready to welcome electronic bingo to Hopkins following a meeting Tuesday night with local charitable gambling managers and the businesses that host their organizations

Former Zynga GM Jonathan Flesher joins Betable Team
NEW YORK, NY (January 16, 2013) -- Real money gaming platform Betable today announced it had hired Jonathan Flesher as its new Executive Vice President of Business Development. Online news source reports that Flesher comes to Betable most recently from Zynga, where he was the company's Vice President and General Manager of Business Development. Prior to Zynga, Flesher worked at companies like JP Morgan.

Bidder Calls Pennsylvania Lottery Contract Process Unfair
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 17, 2013) -- One of the two companies that dropped its pursuit of a contract to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery says it was unable to get all of its questions answered by Governor Corbett's administration

Plan to Limit Tax Charged on Companies that provide Major Betting Services
FARGO, North Dakota (January 17, 2013) -- A plan by the North Dakota Racing Commission would limit the taxes charged on companies that provide major betting services. That includes one outfit that expects to do $300 million in so-called account deposit wagering, in which gamblers usually pay a significant amount of money up-front for bets.

SBTech Signs Deal with Albania's Biggest Land Based Operator
LONDON, UK (January 16, 2013) -- SBTech, provider of award-winning turnkey sports betting solutions, has signed an exclusive, multi-year deal with Albanian land based operator Xhoilloto. Licensed and regulated in Albania, Xhoilloto is the biggest land based sports betting operator in the region, boasting over 500 betting shops

Konami Gaming, Inc. secures license with Hasbro, Inc. for Dungeons & Dragons branded slot machines
LAS VEGAS (January 16, 2013) -- Konami Gaming, Inc., one of the largest designers and manufacturers of slot machines and casino management systems, is pleased to announce the completion of a licensing agreement with Hasbro, Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc. whereby Konami has the rights to design and manufacture slot machines using the popular Dungeons & Dragons brand.

Breaking News For Wednesday January 16, 2013






Our BLOG Breaking News page is a means of keeping our readers informed on the latest news around the clock, the full release is not published below but will appear within an upcoming edition of the Daily News - we hope that our posts are enough to alert you to any breaking news within the Lottery & Gaming Industry

Refresh the page often - Our breaking News Blog is Just Another Part of Our Service & Commitment to Our Readers


Head to:

http://www.lotteryinsider.com/news/blog_Headlines/breaking_news.htm


Betting Association and Sports Betting Operators Denounce Awarding of National Lottery License
BRUSSELS, Belgium (January 14, 2013) -- The Belgian Betting Association (BBA), Stanleybet Bingoal and Betfirst on January 7, sought for the second time to have the sports betting license issued by the Commission on Gambling to Loterie Nationale de Belgique, the Belgium National Lottery, annulled.


LCI Installing ‘Super Roulette Jackpot’ System from Gaming Support
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (January 14, 2013) -- Gaming Support announced today that London Clubs International (“LCI”) is installing its ‘super roulette jackpot’ system with integrated casino signs in nine of its UK properties. LCI is owned by Caesars Entertainment and is one of Europe’s leading casino operators.


January Gaming Revenue Still Heading Towards New Record: Analyst
MACAU, SAR (January 15, 2013) -- January continues to head towards a new gross gaming revenue monthly record in Macau, U.S.-based brokerage Sterne Agee says.
According to its checks, table-only gross gaming revenue stood at MOP12.0 billion (US$1.5 billion) through to January 13.

PokerStars Parent Company Wants To Buy US Casino
SYDNEY, Australia (January 16, 2013) -- Rational Group US Holdings, the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, is asking New Jersey casino regulators for permission to buy the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel for an undisclosed amount. If approved, the deal would mark the first purchase of an Atlantic City casino by an Internet gambling company.

Philippine Authority Says Okada Faces FBI Probe on Casino Permit
MANILA, Philippines (January 16, 2013) -- Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada is reported to be facing a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation probe, adding to a Philippines justice department inquest into how he got a casino permit, the chairman of the Asian nation's gambling authority said in an interview with a reputable News source today.

Kansas County Would Get $7.25 Million Settlement
Penn National Gaming is proposing a $7.25 million settlement with Cherokee County in a dispute over a casino that was never built
EL DORADO, Kansas (January 15, 2013) -- Penn National Gaming is proposing a $7.25 million settlement with Cherokee County in a dispute over a casino that was never built.
A Local News source reports that Cherokee County sued Penn National for $53 million in 2008 after the company decided not to build a casino in southeast Kansas. The company cited competition from a resort just south of where it planned to build the casino.

11 Firms In Running For Mass. Gambling Facilities
BOSTON, Massachusetts (January 16, 2013) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission says a total of 11 companies seeking to develop a resort casino or slots parlor in Massachusetts have submitted preliminary applications along with $400,000 non-refundable entry fees. According to a local broadcast station, among those beating a 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday was a group seeking to build a casino in the town of Milford.

Churchill Downs Unveils New Media Center/Simulcast Room
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (January 15, 2013) -- Churchill Downs has unveiled a multi-purpose facility known as The Parlay, which is intended to replace the Joe Hirsch Media Center for working media while also serving as the primary base for off-season simulcast bettors.

Transferrable Gaming Machines Wanted
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (January 16, 2013) -- The hospitality industry wants venues to be able to transfer gaming machines between bars and earn a percentage-based commission from their profits.
Hospitality New Zealand says new establishments are finding it hard to get a gaming license when many regions have caps on the number of machines.

Gambling Control Board Considering Proposal to Allow Pai Gow Poker at Oxford Casino
AUGUSTA, Maine (January 15, 2013) -- Maine's gambling control board is considering a proposal to allow a new a variation of poker at one of the state's casinos.
The gambling control board will see a demonstration of the game and review proposed rules for it.

Chief Executive of Major Casino Linked To Investigation By Taiwanese Authorities
DUNGOG, NSW, Australia (January 16, 2013) -- The chief executive of a Major Sydney Casino has been reportedly linked to an investigation by Taiwanese authorities into the alleged channelling of $US180 million ($170.4 million) in illicit gambling funds from Taiwan to the Chinese gambling enclave Macau, according to local publication .

Bet&Move to Partner With Income Access
LONDON, UK (January 15, 2013) -- Bet&Move, the real money mobile casino, has entered into agreement with digital marketing firm Income Access. The collaboration will see Income Access institute Bet&Move's new affiliate marketing programme, while also tailoring its iGaming-specific software and marketing services for Bet& Move's unique platform offerings. The partnership will provide Bet&Move with industry-leading software solutions

Zynga Hit by Lawsuit Based on Employee Unpaoid Overtime
NEW YORK NY (January 15, 2013) - A Subscription based publication has reported that Zynga Inc. was hit with a proposed class action Monday in California federal court by a former software engineer at the social media gaming firm accusing it of alledgedly failing to give engineers proper overtime pay by misclassifying them as exempt from such wages.

Clubs Say Raffles are No Longer A Winning Prospect For Fundraising
Groups Cite Extensive Record Keeping Involved As Reason For Discontinuation
WILKES-BARRE, Pennsylvania (January 13, 2013) -- Filing the paperwork with the state for raffles, daily drawings and pull tabs has become a big job for social clubs and organizations and led to some discontinuing small games of chance. A local news publication reports that the games raise funds to be used in-house and in the community, but Act 2 of 2012 requires extensive record keeping in order to account for the money.
If the lawmakers want to help they could simplify the reporting requirements or legalize video poker machines that were money makers for the Club and others.
A lawmaker also wants to have another shot at legalizing video poker so taverns and clubs could compete with casinos and raise money for property tax relief.

Clubs Vexed by an Overload of Paperwork
People who keep the records and file the reports at these clubs are a small group of volunteers. We're not CPAs
SHIPPENSBURG, Pennsylvania (January 15, 2013) -- Legislators suggest there are changes on the way for Pennsylvania's Act 2 law that regulates small games of chance at private and nonprofit clubs. The operators of private and veterans clubs say it can't come too soon. The deadline for nonprofit organizations and charities to submit annual and semi-annual reports as dictated by last year's Act 2 legislation has been extended by the Corbett administration.
Claims the effect of a reporting deadline extension is superficial - the delay may be more about the state's readiness rather than a helping hand for clubs.
"I think it (the extension) may because the state was ready to start accepting the reports. The system may not be functional yet or they haven't staffed for it."

Record Lottery Ticket Sales Means $81 Million Boost For State Government
TOPEKA, Kansas (January 15, 2013) -- Record sales of lottery tickets led to a record profit for state government last year, the director of the Kansas Lottery told lawmakers Tuesday. "As a result of the record sales year, the lottery was able to transfer to the state's financial coffers approximately $72 million, a record amount," acting Lottery Director Dennis Taylor said in a report to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. In addition, lottery winners paid about $9 million in income taxes on their winnings, for a total profit to the state of about $81 million.

International Lottery & Totalizator Systems Receives Order for New Intelimark FLX-2 Terminals From Sports Toto Malaysia
VISTA, California (January 15, 2013) -- International Lottery & Totalizator Systems, Inc. (ILTS) (OTCBB: ITSI) announced today that the Company has received an order valued at approximately US$11 million from Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd (STM) for new Intelimark FLX-2 lottery terminals, CheckWin units, associated services and software .

Paddy Power International Ltd.. Receives Sports Betting License In Schleswig-Holstein
KIEL, Germany (January 15, 2013) -- A few days ago the betting organizer Betbull Group, Paddy Power International Limited, received a concession to the organization of sports in Schleswig-Holstein. Alexander Leip, Managing Director of Betbull Holding SE, is pleased with the positive response from the user

Novomatic Taps Capital Market - 100-Million Bond Issue Comes
VIENNA / GUMPOLDSKIRCHEN (January 15, 2013) -- The Lower Austrian gaming company Novomatic taps again to the capital markets with the issuing a corporate bond of at least 100 million euros. The six-year issue is also addressed to small private investor's, the denomination will be 500 euro, the interest rate 4.00 percent likely. The Group intends to use the money for investments and acquisitions. Novomatic intensified since mainly on companies in the online gaming sector, looks great for potential in the eyes of Director-General Franz Wohlfahrt

Tuesday 15 January 2013

The Blog has moved to a new space




For up to the minute news the blof=g will be updated on our new Breaking News Page on the Lottery Insider site.

The same posts will still appear here but will only be uploaded twice a day.

So either check back here in a few hours for the latest news or head to our Breaking News Page at


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Headlines Wednesday january 15, 2013




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to read any of the following articles in full


Wednesday January 16, 2013

 PRIVATIZATION NEWS

  1. Assembly Panel Aims to Stall Plan to Outsource State Lottery.
  2. Camelot Vows to Take Pennsylvania Lottery From 'Good To Great'.
  3. Other Bidders Interested in Managing the PA Lottery Identified.
 LOTTERY NEWS

  1. Tennessee Education Lottery Posts Record Returns.
  2. Maltco Lotteries Announce New Games, New Equipment.
  3. Introduction of Keno Games to Be Phased In.
  4. La Française des Jeux Reports 2012 was an Exceptional Calendar and A Record Year for Redistribution.
  5. Texas Lottery® Transfers To Foundation School Fund Top $15 Billion.
  6. Multi-State Game Increasing Starting Jackpots.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING INITIATIVES

  1. Technology Paves the Way For Responsible Gambling.

LEGAL, LEGISLATIVE, POLITICAL & GOVERNMENT

  1. Government to Review Betting Regulations.
  2. Attorney General Would Like to See Operating Illegal Gambling Machines A Felony.
  3. Florida Legislature to Conduct a Comprehensive Gambling Review.
 
MARKETING and SPONSORSHIP

  1. Prize Draw Promotions Ban Lifted.
  2. British Bookmaker Commits to a Twelve Month Campaign with London Taxi Advertising.

VENDOR NEWS

  1. OOP 2013: adesso Provides Information About Trends in Software Development.
  2. Quickfire Signs Agreement with Development Partner Push Gaming, to Offer Magic Dreams’ Casino Games.
  3. New Diversity™ Suites and Licensed Popcap® Games Lead List of Spielo International™ Games at ICE.
MARKET WATCH

  1. Betfair Executives Boosts Stake in Betting Firm.
  2. State Casino Taxes Rise 18.8% in 2012.
  3. Eurobank Equities Lowers INTRALOT Rating.

 FEATURE ARTICLE

  1. GBGC Special Report: What Does 2013 Hold In Store For Gambling?

CASINO NEWS

  1. Government Unveils Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Guidelines.
  2. Penn National Gaming to Lay Foundation for Ohio Racino in April.
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

  1. Five Directors Re-Elected to AGA Board.

PATENTS

  1. US Patent Application Filed for Method and System to Assign a Lottery-Awarded Good.
  2. US Patent Application Filed for Game of Chance Ensuring a Single Winner.

 

News from my desk Wednesday January 16, as at 4.30am



Lottery Keno Games Would Be Phased In
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 15, 2013) -- An introduction of keno games under a privately managed Pennsylvania Lottery would be gradual, with some 500 restaurants and taverns that have Lottery retail licenses getting keno first, Corbett administration officials told the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, the Times Tribune reports.. State officials have authority under state lottery and procurement laws to add terminal-based games like keno and online games without obtaining legislative approval, Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser told the media. A bright line exists under state law between lottery games and gaming, he said.

New system for Maltco Lotteries
Due to its new system, Maltco and its agents will not be able to accept sales of Super 5 after the 16 January’s Super 5 draw
MALTA (January 16, 2013) – Maltco Lotteries would like to inform the public that it will start operating the new system, the Grand Lottery game and the relevant modifications to the existing games, with the use of the new Photon terminals from Monday, 21 January.



La Française des Jeux  2012: an Exceptional Calendar And A Record Year For Redistribution
PARIS, France (January 15, 2013) -- 2012 boasted an exceptional calendar: three Friday 13ths (only one in 2011), a series of symbolic dates for players (10-11-12, 12-12-12 and 21-12-12), two international sports events in Europe (the Olympic Games in London and the Euro 2012 football championship) and four “long cycles” for the Euro Millions game (only two in 2011). One of these ended with a record French win of nearly €170m, a second crossed the absolute game record, reaching the ceiling of €190m while the most recent one totalled nearly €102m and was won in France (on 21-12-12).

PERFORM's German advertising business mediasports, secures exclusive strategic advertising representation partnership with Germany`s leading football app,
Partnership positions mediasports as leading mobile sports network in Germany
HAMBURG, Germany (January 14, 2013) -- mediasports, the German advertising division of sports media group PERFORM, has today announced the signing of a major advertising partnership with leading German app developer motain to exclusively represent media sales across its market-leading football app: THE Football App.

BetVictor Poker Launches EUR50,000 Secret Agent Sit 'n' Go Giveaway
LONDON, UK (January 15, 2013) -- BetVictor Poker today announces its massive EUR50,000 Secret Agent Giveaway starting on January 15 with 10 EUR1,000 Tag Heuer watches, five iPhone 5s, and 1,500 EUR22 tournament tickets up for grabs.
To take part in the giveaway and be in with a chance of scoring one or more of the fantastic free prizes players need simply play 10 sit 'n' go tournament with a buy in of EUR1 + EUR0.10 or more within a 24-hour period.


O2 UK Marketing, Consumer Director Leaves To Join Camelot
LONDON, UK (January 15, 2013) -- O2 UK's marketing and consumer director Sally Cowdry is set to leave the company after accepting a post with National Lottery operator Camelot.


bwin.party COO Steps Down From Board
LONDON, UK (January 15, 2013) -- bwin.party's chief operating officer Joachim Baca has stepped down from the board.



Monday 14 January 2013

News from my desk Tuesday January 15, @ 10.44am AEST




Competing Companies for Lottery Privatization Revealed
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 15, 2013) -- Pete Tartline, executive deputy secretary for the governor's budget office, told the Senate Finance Committee and a packed hearing room that the companies that dropped out of the procurement process were Tatts Group, which operates lotteries in Australia, and Rhode Island-based GTECH Corp., which has won previous lottery contracts here.

British Company Vows To Take Pa. Lottery From 'Good To Great'
Promise Comes During Hearing On Corbett's Decision To Give The Camelot Group The Contract To Run The System
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 15, 2013) -- Senior executives of the British-based company poised to take over the day-to-day management of the Pennsylvania Lottery say they have a simple plan to get more people playing scratch-off and numbers games that underwrite services for the state's growing over-60 population.



TEXAS LOTTERY® Transfers To Foundation School Fund Top $15 Billion
AUSTIN, Texas (January 15, 2013) -- The Texas Lottery Commission announced today that lottery sales revenue transfers to the state’s Foundation School Fund have now surpassed the $15 billion mark. Today’s December revenue transfer of $96.7 million brought the total amount generated for the Foundation School Fund since 1997 to $15.08 billion.

Wild Card Game Increasing Starting Jackpots
HELENA, Montana (January 14, 2013) -- The Wild Card lottery game is making some changes, including doubling the starting jackpot to $200,000 while decreasing the odds of winning.
Five Directors Re-Elected to AGA Board
Deutsche Bank Securities’ Richard Byrne to Serve First At-Large Term
WASHINGTON (January 14, 2013) --  At the December annual meetings of the American Gaming Association (AGA),  the following four members of the AGA board of directors were re-elected to serve for three-year terms: 

Headlines for Tuesday January 15th, 2013



 
 
To access the Daily News Service, log on to: http://www.lotteryinsider.com/nasplnews.htm

The full articles relating to the below stories are currently online at our Daily News service.


TODAY'S HEADLINES

Tuesday January 15, 2013


PRIVATIZATION

  1. Lawmakers, Midstaters React To Lottery Privatization.
LOTTERY NEWS

  1. Kerala Lotteries Heading for an All-time High: Minister.
  2. New Lottery Game Keno to Make Delaware Debut.
  3. Lottery Announce Big Red Envelope Will Feature an Unprecedented Extra Drawing of the NT$100m Top Prize
  4. Lifting Lotto's Online Odds.

LEGAL, LEGISLATIVE, POLITICAL & GOVERNMENT

  1. Austrian Constitutional Court Rules Lottery Tender to be Constitutional.
  2. Casino Developer Urges Speedy Passage of Taiwan Gaming Bill.
  3. British Company to Invest US$2.5 Million in National Lottery.
  4. Gambling Legislation Sponsor Expects ‘Rapid Pace’ For Bill.
  5. New Betting Tax Creates A 'Two-Tiered' Tax System.
  6. Senator in Bid to Close Gambling App Loophole.
  7. Minister Warned Selling the National Lottery Could Damage the Brand Beyond Repair.
  8. Bwin Party Criticizes German Gambling Proposals.
  9. Authorized Lotto Outlets Protest at Return of Illegal Operators.
  10. Clerk Arrested for Lottery Retailer Fraud.

MARKETING and SPONSORSHIP

  1. Get Ready To “Follow-Find-Win!”
  2. Will The Movie Awards Be Entertaining? You Can BET On It!
  3. Eurojackpot Campaign Launched in Norway.
  4. Something New For Club Keno! Jack Pack!
  5. New Mexico Lottery Launches ‘Betty Boop™’ Valentine Scratchers.
  6. Texas Ask’Em Poker & AFC Wimbledon - A Winning Combination!
VENDOR NEWS

  1. London Capital Group Signs BetVictor as White Label Partner.
  2. Gambling Laws and Starting a Gambling Business.
  3. Eurobet Italia Launches Casino Slots.

GAMING MACHINES (VLTS)

  1. Welsh Gamblers Spend £1.5 Billion A Year On High-Stakes Betting Machines.
  2. Revenue From Electronic Games Has Been Steadily Increasing in Recent Years.

MARKET WATCH

  1. IGT Urges Shareholders to Vote for IGT's Experienced Director Nominees.
  2. Italy’s December Sports Betting Up 15%.
  3. Bwin.party Shares Trust Purchase.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

  1. Sweden’s Gambling Regulator Appoints Former Ladbrokes Executive As Communications Director.
  2. Paul Witten Joins Tipp24 as Head of Business Development in London.
  3. London Capital Group COO to Step Down.

News from my Desk Tuesday January 15, 2013 @ 2.30AM



Head to our mobile site to read the full releases when the Daily News is posted later today:

http://www.lotteryinsider.com/news/mobile_version/index.htm



Prize Draw Promo Ban Lifted In Northern Ireland
Brands Will Now Be Able To Run Prize Draw Competitions In Northern Ireland After A Restriction Has Been Lifted
LONDON, UK (January 11, 2013) – The Northern Ireland Executive is to change gambling laws, which have prohibited brands from running prize draw promotions linked to product purchase, for eight years.
 
 
Kerala Lotteries heading for Rs.2,500 crore sales: Minister
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (January 14, 2013) – The state-run Kerala Lotteries' ticket sales is heading for an all-time high and expected to exceed Rs.2,500 crore in the fiscal 2012-13, a Kerala minister said Monday,
 
 



Sweden’s Gambling Regulator Has Appointed Former Ladbrokes Executive As Communications Director
STOCKOLM, Sweden (January 10, 2013) -- Sweden’s gambling regulator Lotteriinspektionen has appointed former Ladbrokes Nordic public relations officer Joakim Rönngren as its new communications director.

 

Tipp24 SE: Paul Witten's Head Of Business Development In London
HAMBURG, Germany (January 14, 2013) -- Paul Witten (51) is now Managing Director and Head of Business Development at Tipp24 UK Ltd. in London, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tipp24 SE.
 




London Capital Group Signs BetVictor as White Label Partner
LONDON, UK (January 14, 2013) --  London Capital Group Limited ("LCG"), one of the leading spread betting and CFD providers, is pleased to announce that it has entered an agreement with BetVictor, to provide a white label financial spread trading platform. The trading platform is now live at http://www.betvictorfinancials.com/
 

Boylesports Partners With Arkphire For IT Infrastructure Upgrade Project



DUBLIN, Ireland (January 14, 2013) -- Irish IT solutions provider Arkphire has announced that it has implemented a comprehensive IT infrastructure upgrade project for Boylesports.
According to publication ‘Business & Leadership,’ the project aimed to dramatically improve infrastructure performance, reliability and management across the organisation.
The business also wanted to reduce operational costs and provide for significant growth as Boylesports expands. 


New Lottery Game Keno To Make Delaware Debut
Exciting, Fast-Paced Bingo Game To Be Sold At More Than 70 New And Existing
Retail Locations Throughout the State
DOVER, Delaware (January 14, 2013) – The Delaware Lottery is pleased to announce that Keno, a fun, fast-paced bingo, style game is making its debut in Delaware and will be ready for play in the First State. Starting January 22, the new Lottery game will be available for play to those 18 years of age and older at more than 70 new and existing retail locations throughout Delaware, which include restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, gas stations, books and news retailers, and convenience stores. 

News from my desk January 15th @ 9PM





Lawmakers, Midstaters React To Lottery Privatization
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 14, 2013) -- The Pennsylvania Lottery is going private. Governor Corbett awarded a contract to a British company, Camelot, a deal potentially worth $34 billion.


Lottery Announces Extra NT$100 Million Chinese New Year Red Envelope
TAIPEI, Taiwan (January 13, 2013) -- To celebrate the arrival of 2013, the Year of the Snake, the Taiwan Lottery Company announced the Chinese New Year Big Red Envelope event that will take place over the upcoming holidays.


Lifting Lotto's Online Odds
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (January 13, 2013) – Lotteries are getting personal.
Digital technologies and online and mobile business isn't just disrupting retailers and the media industry, New Zealand Lotteries is also positioning itself for an unpredictable future.
With NZ Lotteries now threatening to break through $1 billion in turnover.


Bet Tax To Generate New Set Of Challenges
John Greene writing for the Irish Independent
DUBLIN, Ireland (January 13, 2013) – The new betting tax legislation is finally expected to be brought forward in the first quarter of this year.
There has been some criticism of the hold-up, given that the government published the Bill to amend Ireland's current betting tax regime last July.


Senator in Bid to Close Gambling App Loophole
A Game Will Be Defined As A “Gambling Service” If Monies Can Be Lost
CANBERRA, ACT, Australia (January 13, 2013) -- Independent senator Nick Xenophon will introduce legislation to close an online gambling loophole that makes it legal for children to lose money on a poker machine game.


Lotto Not Yours to Sell, Minister Told
DUBLIN, Ireland (January 11, 2013) – Selling the National Lottery to "cash-rich offshore pension funds, parallel Lottery organisations or wealthy billionaires" could damage the brand beyond repair, Public Sector Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has been warned.


Bwin Party in German Dispute
LONDON, UK (January 11, 2013) -- Online gaming company Bwin party hit out at German gambling proposals last week, claiming that there is not a level-playing field for domestic and foreign companies.


Will The Movie Awards Be Entertaining? You Can BET On It!
Atlantic Lottery First To Offer Award Show Bets
MONCTON, New Brunswick, Canada (January 11, 2013) -- Some folks call this winter; for movie lovers it’s awards season. This year with PRO∙LINE FUTURES from Atlantic Lottery, Atlantic Canadians can bet on who will be taking home the hardware at the biggest movie awards show of the year.


Eurojackpot Launched In Norway
HAMAR, Norway (January 8, 2013) -- The first Norwegian Eurojackpot-draw will take place on Friday 1 February presented by TV2. The Program Managers for the show, which will be marked by glitz, glamor and are Aylar Lie and Geir Håkonsund.




Microgaming Announces New Games for January 2013
ISLE OF MAN (January 11, 2013) -- Microgaming (www.microgaming.co.uk), the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, is celebrating the New Year by announcing two breath-taking new games for January 2013.


Welsh Gamblers Spend £1.5 Billion A Year On High-Stakes Betting Machines
(January 13, 2013) -- Welsh gamblers are spending more than £1.5 billion every year on high-stakes betting machines that take bets of up to £100, a campaign group has claimed.


London Capital Group COO to step down
LONDON, UK (January 11, 2013) -- London Capital Group Holdings chief operating officer Rachel Woodford is stepping down to pursue other interests.
Woodford's six month notice period expires in July and in the meantime she will continue to carry out her executive duties in order to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. The board thanked her for all her hard work over the last nine years in building and developing the business.